Restoring Black Plastic

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by WhiteCarbon, May 8, 2017.

  1. WhiteCarbon

    WhiteCarbon New Member

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    Hey everyone! I was wondering if anyone here has restored the black plastics on the VFR to a really good condition, whether it be with Plasti Dip/Paint or a chemical. If you guys have any tips then I'm all ears!! IMG_20170506_210633524.jpg
     
  2. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    It depends on the condition of the plastic..
    I'm using Autoglym bumper repair gel - works really well on blacks, less so on colours, If its too far gone, it gets painted.
    If the black is LIGHT GREY - thats too far to recover.
     
  3. RobVG

    RobVG Member

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    Meguiar's Ultimate Black plastic restorer. Doesn't last forever but lasts a good long time.
     
  4. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    Look to Meguirs or Eagle One and the like for restoration chemicals. Plastidip may work but applied too heavily on vertical surfaces it will run. Paint works too, any oxidation should be removed (the light grey) the object primed, Sherwin-Williams Krylon (Fusion) works great both as a primer or a primer/undercoater/finish coat. For specialty paints seek out an automotive paint supplier or in some NAPA store they carry Martin-Senour paints. Martin-Senour is a Sherwin-Williams Co.

    Application of the chemical restorers can be done using 4/0 steel wool as it comes in pads sometimes or by rolling some up forming a "tube", securing it with masking tape and using that in small areas. For sensitive areas, an eraser on the end of a pencil is abrasive.
     
  5. WhiteCarbon

    WhiteCarbon New Member

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    Thanks a bunch guys! I will be trying out some Meguires restoration. We will see how it goes.
     
  6. RVFR

    RVFR Member

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    Depends on how UVed it is, and how easy it is to get too and fix, some times I just replace with new plastic. Yes the mequiers is goo stuff. But most won't last long
     
  7. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    The oxidation on "black plastic" varies. Just because it's black doesn't mean its all the same. Kind of like black paint..ain't.

    I figure to replace the carbon black plastic on White Carbons bike shouldn't be more than say 3-500 pesos not including labor makes a jug of any plastic restorer a good deal including labor. The darn stuff works on windshields too. Those fancy ones get pricy too when replaced.

    Damn, I almost forgot those PITA red kill switches that get all futzed up in the sunlight.
     
  8. clau4909

    clau4909 New Member

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    I have used a product called Innotech Repaplast.. You can get it in black, and it is very easy to work with. And hardens up real nice and quick, and is also very tough.
     
  9. sarge383

    sarge383 New Member

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    mothers back to black and a little heat from a heat gun turned my 87's grayed out controls back to black. just be careful with the heat not too hot.
     
  10. NormK

    NormK New Member

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    Cheap and good is a wipe with WD40
     
  11. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    If WhiteCarbon buys all these wonderful saviours in a bottle, it may be less to just replace the plastic.
     
  12. RDMCD

    RDMCD New Member

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    I've never tried either, but have heard that vasoline and mayonnaise will both work. Coat the plastic and let it sit, probably for 24 hours.
     
  13. clarkm8

    clarkm8 New Member

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    Invest on a good protectant that offers UV protection like the 303 aerospace.
     
  14. James Bond

    James Bond Member

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    Autoglym makes the best product for restoring sun bleached plastic. I've tried them all and this has been the only one that works well.
     
  15. VFRVogt

    VFRVogt New Member

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    Bondo Restore Black, excellent but dangerous. Definitely mask stuff off and wear gloves.
    Used it on my Xterra. Lasts for years.
    What was gray is now black and still is after only one application.
     
  16. vdrive

    vdrive New Member

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    my 98 has been treated with Honda pro polish on all plastic since new, it has uv protectant somewhat like sunscreen .also whenever i park i try to get the bike in some shade if possible.all red is still red ,black -grey still as well.
     
  17. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    I can confirm Vaseline on faded switch pods works surprisingly well.
     
  18. ridnout

    ridnout New Member

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    Here are some before and after pictures of the plastic trim on both the '99 & '04 using 000 steel wool and Mother's Back to Black product. I still need to get the metal hardware powder coated, a new rubber sheet cut and pop-riveted into place. As far as the color goes, I don't believe the gauge trim was actually ever truly black but a grey color. That is at least what I can tell from reproductions of Honda's literature and such...

    As far as durability, if the oxidation is removed, I believe the product will bond to itself; so do several applications.

    Mother's Back to Black mentions that it is not for smooth plastics, but mine went okay. The textured surface of the gauge pod is fitting. I tried so many different things from wax to shoe polish until getting it right.

    Sorry for not having better before shots of the '99's trim before application of Mother's Back to Black, so here is a picture that the seller texted me before buying the bike.

    I hope you can gauge or predict results from these pics.
    20141108_120320.jpg IMG_5228.JPG
    IMG_5029.JPG IMG_5227.JPG IMG_5229.JPG
    IMG_5138.JPG IMG_5230.JPG
    IMG_5139.JPG IMG_5226_2.jpg
     
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